Maritime interests have been told to strictly observe the Kick em’ Jenny Volcano Exclusion Zone of five kilometres around the summit of the volcano. (Picture compliments St Vincent and The Grenadines’ National Emergency Management Organisation.)

From the University of The West Indies Seismic Research Centre:

On Thursday, July 23rd from 1:25am to 3:00am local time, a strong continuous signal was observed on instruments monitoring the Kick ‘em Jenny submarine volcano. Signs of elevated seismicity (earthquakes) began on 11th July and continue to present. For the period since the 11th July a total of more than 200 micro and small earthquakes, of varying magnitudes, have been recorded, with the largest, prior to the strong signal, less than magnitude 3.0. There have also been observations from divers of degassing occurring off the west coast of Grenada in the Moliniere Sculpture Park area. This activity is being closely monitored by The UWI-SRC and further updates would be issued as more information becomes available.

Please be advised

Current Alert Level: Orange *

SeaBeam image of Kick ’em Jenny showing new craters and domes (March, 2003). During a research cruise in March 2003 scientists discovered three craters (C1, C2 and Kick ’em Jack) and two domes (D1 and D2) near Kick ’em Jenny. Further investigations are needed to confirm whether these are separate ‘live’ volcanoes

What is Kick ’em Jenny?
Kick ’em Jenny is a submarine volcano located 8km north of Grenada. The volcano is about 1300m high, and its summit is currently thought to be about 180m below the surface of the sea. As far as we know, Kick ’em Jenny is the only ‘live’ (likely to erupt again) submarine volcano in the Eastern Caribbean. It is also the most frequently active volcano in the region, erupting at least 12 times since it was discovered in 1939. The last eruption of Kick ’em Jenny occurred in December 2001. For details of that eruption go to news archives. The volcano is currently at Alert Level ORANGE and there is 5km exclusion zone around the volcano.

* What Alert Levels Mean:

Volcano is quiet. Seismicity and fumarolic (steam vent) activity are below the historical level at the volcano. No other unusual activity detected.

Maintain basic monitoring system.

– Undertake public awareness campaigns. -Prepare evacuation plan for vulnerable areas. – Check the Seismic Research Unit website regularly for change in status. – Visiting scientists should submit a complete plan of their proposed activities to NERO, Grenada, for approval

YELLOW

Volcano is restless: seismicity and/or fumarolic activity are above the historical level or other unusual activity has been observed or can be expected without warning.

– Bring monitoring system to full capability. – Civil authorities will be alerted and communication system tested.

– Intensify public awareness campaigns. – An exclusion zone of 1.5km from the summit of the volcano should be enforced for non-essential shipping. – Visiting scientists should ensure that the Sauteurs Observatory is manned throughout their visit (at their expense) and that the Observatory can contact their ship at any time. They must also be prepared to leave the exclusion zones immediately upon request.

ORANGE

Highly elevated level of seismic and/or fumarolic activity or other unusual activity. Eruption may begin with less than twenty-four hours notice.

– Vulnerable communities advised of evacuation routes and transport put on standby. – Local radio stations in Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados and Trinidad placed on alert. – Public listens to local radio continuously for updates and visits the Seismic Research Unit website if possible. -All shipping stays outside the first exclusion zone (1.5km from the summit). – Non-essential shipping (pleasure craft etc) stays 5km clear of the summit (second exclusion zone). – Visiting scientists who are not taking part in essential monitoring are regarded as non-essential.

– Vulnerable areas prepared for immediate evacuation. – All shipping stays 5km clear of summit (i.e. out of the first and second exculsion zones). – Public in all vulnerable zones should listen to local radio stations for updates.

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